President Jokowi Emphasizes Importance of Food Reserves to Anticipate COVID-19 Impacts

President Jokowi gives directives at a Limited Meeting through video conference on the Further Discussion about Food Estate, from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (23/9). (Photo by: PR/Ibrahim)

In order to anticipate the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)’s prediction on food crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded all to pay attention to national food reserves.

“The agenda is also conducted to anticipate climate change, and reduce our dependency on food imports. It is really important,” President Jokowi said in his directives at a Limited Meeting through video conference on the Further Discussion about Food Estate, from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (23/9).

The Government, he added, had prepared 2 locations for food estates program, Central Kalimantan (Kapuas and Pulang Pisang Regencies) and North Sumatra (Humbang Hasundutan Regency).

“We will prioritize that areas first. We also have a plan to continue the program to other provinces, such as Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, and South Sumatra. The discussion will begin after the program is well-implemented in that two provinces,” he explained.

According to the President, the implementation on the ground has showed some progress, through there are also problems that must be resolved immediately.

“It (the problem) is related with the land ownership in the food estate areas. I have instructed Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency to resolve this issue immediately since it has to do with large area of land,” he firmly said. (FID/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti